Use of trimethazine in preparation of drugs for preventing and treating liver diseases

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a use of trimethazine in the preparation of drugs for preventing and treating liver diseases. Trimethazine is capable of inhibiting activation of resting T-cells to activated lymphocytes, reducing release of cytokines, and reducing hepatocyte injury caused by immune system; inhibiting fatty acid metabolism in hepatocytes, and optimizing the energy process in hepatocytes; and maintaining normal function of mitochondrial permeability transition pores, and reducing hepatocyte apoptosis. Trimethazine has the efficacy of maintaining the liver functions, and reducing transminase (comprising glutamic pyruvic transaminase, glutamic oxalacetic transaminase, etc.).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to new use of drugs, specifically a new use of trimetazidine as a hepatoprotective drug in prevention and treatment of liver diseases.

BACKGROUND TECHNOLOGY

Trimetazidine hydrochloride (1-[2,3,4-trimethoxybenzyl] piperazine dihydrochloride) has been used mainly in prevention and treatment of angina pectoris for a long time. It is a miscellaneous cardiovascular drug against angina pectoris, characterized in that TMZ prevents the ATP level in cells from decreasing by maintaining proper energy metabolism of cells in a hypoxic or ischemic state, thereby guaranteeing normal functioning of the ion pump and normal operation of the transmembrane sodium-potassium flow and maintaining a stable internal environment of cells. Therefore, it is an effective drug against myocardial ischemia.

Liver-protection drug refers to the category of drugs used to protect liver functions, characterized in that it is capable of maintaining liver functions, reducing hepatocyte injury, promoting repair and regeneration of injured hepatocyte, and enhancing the detoxifying function of the liver. At present, there is a shortage of large scale evidence-based medicine and action target researches on hepatoprotective drugs. It is known that current hepatoprotective drugs mainly include the detoxifying category (reductive glutathione, tiopronin, etc.), the hepatocyte regeneration promoting category (hepatocyte growth-promoting factor, Polyene Phosphatidylcholine), the energy metabolism promoting category (water-soluble vitamins, coenzymes, potassium aspartate magnesium, ornithine aspartate), the cholagogue category (ademetionine, methionine and Vitamin B1, anethol trithione), and the anti-inflammatory traditional Chinese medicine (silibin, compound glycyrrizin preparation). The effect of any hepatocyte protective drug is relative, and most of the drugs, including most hepatocyte protective drugs, are metabolized by liver, which also increases the liver's load of detoxification and metabolism to some extent.

There are a great variety of existing hepatoprotective drugs, but all with single or unidentified sites of action and relatively limited “hepatoprotective” effects. Since most drugs, not excluding most hepatoprotective drugs, are metabolized by liver, it increases the burden of the liver, which is remarkable in patients suffering from liver failure. Most patients suffering from chronic liver diseases and some suffering from acute liver diseases die of the end stage liver failure. For example, all liver diseases caused by virus, drugs, alcohol, non-alcoholic fatty liver or autoimmunity or genetic and metabolic liver diseases can result in liver failure. In recent years, liver failure is treated mainly through combined treatment, by preventing and treating all sorts of clinical complications, delaying hepatocyte injury and waiting for hepatocyte regeneration, but there is no effective drug to treat the liver failure induced by various liver diseases.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In order to overcome the deficiencies in the above mentioned existing technologies, the present invention discloses a new use of trimetazidine as a hepatoprotective drug in prevention and treatment of liver diseases, with significant hepatoprotective effect in treating liver injury induced by virus, drugs, autoimmunity, non-alcoholic fatty liver and many other causes.

The objective of the present invention is to be realized as follows.

Trimetazidine, characterized in a new use as a hepatoprotective drug in prevention and treatment of liver failure.

Trimetazidine as a hepatoprotective drug as described herein, wherein trimetazidine is capable of: inhibiting activation of resting T lymphocytes to activated lymphocytes and macrophage, reducing release of cytokines, and reducing hepatocyte injury caused by immune system; inhibiting fatty acid metabolism in hepatocytes and optimizing energy metabolism process in hepatocytes; maintaining normal function of mitochondrial permeability transition pores and reducing hepatocyte apoptosis.

Trimetazidine as a hepatoprotective drug as described herein, wherein trimetazidine is capable of: inhibiting fatty acid metabolism, in particular inhibiting mitochondrial ketoacyl thiolase activity, thereby inhibiting cell fatty acid β-oxidation and reducing ROS reaction; wherein trimetazidine is capable of enhancing mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase activity, thereby promoting aerobic oxidation of glucose which, in ischemic cells, requires lower oxygen consumption than β-oxidation to obtain energy, and wherein trimetazidine is capable of optimizing the energy process in hepatocytes, thereby maintaining proper energy metabolism during ischemia.

Trimetazidine as a hepatoprotective drug as described herein, wherein trimetazidine achieves hepatoprotective effects primarily through the following three aspects:

(1) As lymphocyte activation requires ATP provided by fatty acid metabolism, trimetazidine is capable of inhibiting free fatty acid (FFA) metabolism, inhibiting activation of resting T lymphocytes to activated lymphocytes, thereby reducing release of cytokines by activated cytotoxic T lymphocytes, reducing exogenous cell necrosis or apoptosis, and reducing hepatocyte injury caused by human immune system.

(2) As hepatocytes during liver failure are under an adverse environment with high ammonia, low oxygen and high bilirubin, have severely affected cellular generation of ATP, which in turn inhibits development and growth of the hepatocytes, trimetazidine is capable of inhibiting fatty acid metabolism in the hepatocytes, promoting glucose glycolysis and subsequent TCA (tricarboxylicacidcycle) cycle, reducing oxygen atoms required for generating the same amount of ATP in hepatocytes, and facilitating the use of limited oxygen atoms for oxidizing glucose to provide ATP needed by hepatocytes to synthesize active substances comprising RNA, DNA, and protein; wherein it is common in liver injury, especially during liver failure, that the formation of microthrombus in injured liver leads to a hypoxic state for hepatocytes; wherein trimetazidine is also capable of inhibiting FFA (free fatty acid) metabolism, reducing the formation of ROS in hepatocytes, and reducing secondary hepatocyte injury.

(3) As hepatocyte injury causes damage to mitochondria, reduces ATP synthesis and natural immunity, which can be characterized by opening of MPT and efflux of K+ and Ca2+, thereby initiating endogenous apoptosis, as particularly shown in hepatocyte injury caused by high blood ammonia, trimetazidine is capable of maintaining proper release of calcium ions by MPT pores and reducing hepatocyte apoptosis.

The present invention provides a therapeutic approach for treating liver diseases, so as to slow or reverse the patient's progression to liver failure. In this context, “liver disease” denotes a condition where liver damage and inflammation threatens to progress to a fatal loss of liver function and/or regenerative capacity. Thus, “liver disease” as used in this description encompasses hepatitis, where inflammation causes damage to liver cells and liver function, whether caused by any virus (viral hepatitis), by a liver toxin (e.g., alcoholic hepatitis), or by autoimmunity (autoimmune hepatitis). Also illustrative of “liver disease” in this description are (A) fatty liver disease (hepatic stetosis), a condition where large vacuoles of triglyceride fat accumulate in liver cells, and (B) non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which subsumes a spectrum of disease associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome, where either (A) or (B) threatens liver damage so severe as to cause a fatal loss of liver function and/or regenerative capacity.

During a liver disease, damage of the normal liver structure impacts blood supply to the liver. Although up to date, ischemia and hypoxia are not considered as a typical characteristic of liver disease, the inventor discovers that liver injury causes local ischemia and hypoxia of liver. Moreover, another main provoking factor of liver injury is hepatic inflammatory response, resulting in the reduced physiological function and regeneration capacity of the liver. Based on the above pathological characteristics of hypoxia and inflammatory response in a liver disease, the present invention provides a new therapeutic approach for treating liver diseases. The positive and beneficial results: as shown in clinical research and trial results, when administered to patients suffering from liver diseases and conditions, TMZ is capable of providing significant effects in maintaining liver functions and decreasing transaminase levels (including alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase, etc.), with such features as shortening the course of disease, reducing the mortality rate, easy and safe use, and low treatment cost. As TMZ is mainly eliminated unchanged by way of urine, with the elimination half-life of approximately 6 hours and without hepatic metabolism, it causes minimal liver toxicity, while having significant hepatoprotective effect.

In a clinical trial and research involving 165 cases of liver failure (see Table 1), we administered TMZ tablets (20 mg/tablet) orally to the hospitalized liver failure patients, one tablet each time, three times a day, over a 4-week course of treatment. As shown in the clinical trial result, compared with traditional therapeutic approach, the 30-day immortality rate of liver failure patients in the TMZ treatment group dropped from 44% to approximately 18%, and the 90-day immortality rate from 68% to 35% (see FIG. 5). This suggests that early TMZ intervention in liver failure patients can significantly increase the survival rate and improve their prognosis. Furthermore, the laboratory test indicators suggest that TMZ can significantly raise the decrease rate of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate transaminase (see FIG. 3). One patient received a PET-CT test of the imaging changes of liver, and the result suggests that, after taking TMZ, the hepatic glucose metabolism of the liver failure patient was remarkably improved (see FIG. 4). This clinical trial result suggests that early use of TMZ for liver failure patients can significantly improve their liver function, inhibit hepatic inflammatory response, enhance their hepatic glucose metabolism and energy utilization, and improve their chances of survival.

With respect of drug safety, as TMZ is mainly eliminated unchanged through urine, with an elimination half-life of 6 hours and without hepatic metabolism, it causes minimal liver toxicity, and no serious adverse reaction occurred during the clinical trial, with high patient tolerability and high safety.

Carriers, excipients and other additives commonly used for pharmaceutical preparations may be used to prepare pharmaceutical compositions comprising trimetazidine or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof as active ingredients.

The administration forms may be oral dosage forms, such as tablets, pills, capsules, granules, powders, emulsions, syrups, suspensions, liquid preparations, or non-oral dosage forms, such as intravenous injection or intramuscular injection, suppository, subcutaneous agent, transdermal agent, nasal agent, inhalation. Symptoms, age, gender, etc. of the individual patient should be considered in order to properly determine the dose of a compound. Generally speaking, in the case of oral administration, daily dosage for adult patients of the compound is about 0.001 mg/kg to 100 mg/kg, a single dose or divided into 2 to 4 times daily. In the case of intravenous administration according to the patient symptoms, generally speaking, daily dose for adult patients is 0.0001 mg/kg to 10 mg/kg, once to more times daily. Further, in the case of using the inhalant administration, generally speaking, daily dosage for adult patients is 0.0001 mg/kg to 1 mg/kg, once to more times daily.

In one embodiment, an adult patient may take orally a pharmaceutical composition comprising about 30-180 mg trimetazidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient daily, in a single dose or 2 to 4 separate doses, with each dose comprising about 10-60 mg trimetazidine. In one embodiment, an adult patient may take orally a pharmaceutical composition comprising about 60 mg trimetazidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient daily, in 3 separate doses, with each dose comprising about 20 mg trimetazidine.

In the present invention, solid compositions for oral administration may be tablets, powders, granules and the like. In such solid compositions, one or more active substances are mixed with at least one inert excipient (e.g., lactose, mannitol, glucose, hydroxypropylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, starch, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, magnesium aluminum silicate, etc.). According to a conventional method, the composition may also contain inert additives such as lubricants (e.g. magnesium stearate), disintegrating agents (e.g., sodium carboxymethyl starch) and dissolution aids. If necessary, tablets or pills may be coated with sugar coating or a gastric or enteric coating agent.

The liquid compositions for oral administration include pharmaceutically acceptable emulsions, solutions, suspensions, syrups, elixirs, and commonly used inert diluent (e.g., purified water, ethanol). In addition to the inert diluent, the composition may also contain additives such as solubilizing agents, wetting agents and suspending agents, as well as sweetener, corrigent, flavoring agents and preservatives.

Injections for non-oral administration include sterile aqueous or non-aqueous liquid preparations, suspensions and emulsions. Diluent for aqueous solution can include (for example) distilled water for injection and physiological saline. Diluent for non-aqueous solution can include (e.g.) propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, vegetable oils (such as olive oil), alcohols (e.g. ethanol) and polysorbate 80. Such compositions may further contain isotonic agents, preservatives, wetting agents, emulsifying agents, dispersing agents, stabilizing agents, dissolving aids and the like additives. Such compositions may be sterilized by filtration through a bacteria retaining filter, adding bactericides or irradiation with light. In addition, these compositions may be made into sterile solid compositions, and then dissolved or suspended, prior to use, with sterile water or a sterile solvent for injection.

Transmucosal agents, such as inhalations and nasal agents and the like, can be in a solid, liquid, or semi-solid state of use, and can be prepared in accordance with conventionally known methods. For example, an excipient (e.g., lactose and starch), pH adjusting agent, a preservative, surfactants, lubricants, stabilizing agents, thickening agents and the like may be added as needed. You can use a suitable inhalation or insufflation device for administration. For example, a metered dose inhaler or other conventionally known devices or sprayers may be used to administer the compound alone or as a powder mixture after formulation. In addition, the compound may also be combined with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and administered as a solution or suspension. The dry powder inhaler or the like may be used for a single dose or multiple doses, and can use a dry powder or a powder-containing capsule. Further, a pressurized aerosol spray and the like can also be used for administration by the use of a suitable propellant (e.g., chlorofluoroalkane, hydrofluoroalkane, or a suitable gas such as carbon dioxide).

ADDITIONAL EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1

A method for treating a liver disease or condition, comprising administrating to a patient in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition comprising trimetazidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient.

Embodiment 2

A method for treating liver failure, comprising administrating to a patient in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition comprising trimetazidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient.

Embodiment 3

A method for treating hepatitis, comprising administrating to a patient in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition comprising trimetazidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient.

Embodiment 4

A method for treating viral hepatitis, comprising administrating to a patient in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition comprising trimetazidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient.

Embodiment 5

A method for treating alcoholic hepatitis, comprising administrating to a patient in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition comprising trimetazidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient.

Embodiment 6

A method for treating autoimmune hepatitis, comprising administrating to a patient in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition comprising trimetazidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient.

Embodiment 7

A method for treating fatty liver disease, comprising administrating to a patient in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition comprising trimetazidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient.

Embodiment 8

A method for treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, comprising administrating to a patient in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition comprising trimetazidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient.

Embodiment 9

A method for inhibiting activation of resting T lymphocytes to activated lymphocytes in liver disease patients, comprising administrating to a patient in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition comprising trimetazidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient.

Embodiment 10

A method for inhibiting fatty acid metabolism in hepatocytes and promoting aerobic oxidation of glucose in liver disease patients, comprising administrating to a patient in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition comprising trimetazidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient.

Embodiment 11

A method for inhibiting β-oxidation in hepatocytes and reducing formation of ROS in liver disease patients, comprising administrating to a patient in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition comprising trimetazidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient.

Embodiment 12

A method for reducing alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and/or aspartate transaminase (AST) in liver disease patients, comprising administrating to a patient in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition comprising trimetazidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient.

Embodiment 13

The method of any of Embodiments 1 to 12, comprising administering trimetazidine to the patient orally or by injection.

Embodiment 14

The method of any of Embodiments 1 to 13, comprising administering 30-180 mg trimetazidine to the patient daily.

Embodiment 15

The method of any of Embodiments 1 to 14, comprising administering 60 mg trimetazidine to the patient daily.

Embodiment 16

The method of any of Embodiments 1 to 15, comprising administering trimetazidine to the patient 1-4 times daily.

Embodiment 17

The method of any of Embodiments 1 to 16, comprising administering trimetazidine to the patient 3 times daily.

Embodiment 18

The method of any of Embodiments 1 to 17, wherein the pharmaceutical composition administered to the patient contains trimetazidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as the sole active ingredient.

Embodiment 19

The method of any of Embodiments 1 to 18, wherein the liver disease or condition in absence of treatment may develop into acute liver failure in a month, a week, or 72 hours.

Embodiment 20

The method of any of Embodiments 1 to 19, wherein the patient is not suffering from angina pectoris, coronary insufficiency, previous myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease, vertigo or tinnitus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the hepatoprotective mechanism of Trimetazidine.

FIG. 2 shows dynamic changes of (A) ALT and (B) AST within 5 days after treatment with TMZ and DCA, respectively.

FIG. 3 shows dynamic changes of (A) ALT and (B) AST within 15 days after treatment with TMZ and DCA, respectively.

FIG. 4 shows comparison of PET-CT results of a liver failure patient before and after treatment with TMZ.

FIG. 5 shows survival curves of liver failure patients treated with TMZ and general treatment (GT), respectively.

Table 1 shows a design flowchart of a TMZ clinical trial involving 165 liver failure patients.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Now the present invention will be further described based on specific examples.

Trimetazidine, characterized in a new use as a hepatoprotective drug in prevention and treatment of liver diseases.

Trimetazidine as a hepatoprotective drug as described herein, wherein trimetazidine is capable of: inhibiting free fatty acid (FFA) metabolism, in particular inhibiting mitochondrial ketoacyl thiolase activity, thereby inhibiting cell fatty acid β-oxidation and reducing ROS reaction; wherein trimetazidine is capable of enhancing mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase activity, thereby promoting aerobic oxidation of glucose which, in ischemic cells, requires lower oxygen consumption than β-oxidation to obtain energy, and wherein trimetazidine is capable of optimizing the energy process in hepatocytes, thereby maintaining proper energy metabolism during ischemia.

Trimetazidine, as a hepatoprotective drug as described herein, achieves hepatoprotective effects primarily through the following three aspects:

(1) as lymphocyte activation requires ATP provided by fatty acid metabolism, trimetazidine is capable of inhibiting FFA metabolism, inhibiting activation of resting T lymphocytes to activated lymphocytes, thereby reducing release of cytokines by activated cytotoxic T lymphocytes, reducing exogenous cell necrosis or apoptosis, and reducing hepatocyte injury caused by human immune system;

(2) as hepatocytes during liver failure are under an adverse environment with high ammonia, low oxygen and high bilirubin, have severely affected cellular generation of ATP, which in turn inhibits development and growth of the hepatocytes, trimetazidine is capable of inhibiting fatty acid metabolism in the hepatocytes, promoting glucose glycolysis and subsequent TCA (tricarboxylicacidcycle) cycle, reducing oxygen atoms required for generating the same amount of ATP, and facilitating the use of limited oxygen atoms for oxidizing glucose to provide ATP needed by hepatocytes to synthesize active substances comprising RNA, DNA, and protein; wherein it is common in liver injury, especially during liver failure, that the formation of microthrombus in injured liver leads to a hypoxic state for hepatocytes; wherein trimetazidine is also capable of inhibiting FFA (free fatty acid) metabolism, reducing the formation of ROS in hepatocytes, and reducing secondary hepatocyte injury;

(3) as hepatocyte injury causes damage to mitochondria, reduces ATP synthesis and natural immunity, which can be characterized by opening of MPT and efflux of K+ and Ca2+, thereby initiating endogenous apoptosis, as particularly shown in hepatocyte injury caused by high blood ammonia, trimetazidine is capable of maintaining proper release of calcium ions by MPT pores and reducing hepatocyte apoptosis.

Clinical Research on the Hepatoprotective Effect of Trimetazidine in Hepatic Failure Patients

I. Objective of Trial

Evaluate if trimetazidine is capable of improving the liver function of patients with hepatic failure.

II. Design of Trial

1. Trial Method

The single-center cohort study was adopted as the clinical trial method.

2. Estimation and Distribution of the Number of Cases

In accordance with relevant references and the results of previous trails, the number of cases shall be no less than 50. Taking into account the number of loss to follow up and possible drop-out (to be controlled around 10%), 60 cases are required to be selected (30 cases for the trial group and 30 cases for the control group). Now the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University has completed the clinical observation of 58 cases.

3. Cohort Groups

All serious hepatitis patients enrolled between Aug. 19, 2014 and Dec. 19, 2014 were put in the control group; and all those enrolled between December 9 and the application date were in the trial group.

III. Selection of Cases

1. Selection Criteria

-   -   Patients diagnosed with liver failure complicated by myocardial         damage (conforming to the diagnosis criteria as specified in the         2012 edition of A Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment of Liver         Failure, promulgated by the Society of Infectious Diseases under         Chinese Medical Association and the Society of Hepatology under         CMA: suffering from hepatic encephalopathy; extremely feeble,         with significant alimentary canal symptoms; with icterus         deepening fast, and serum TBIL 10 times higher than the normal         upper limit or increasing by ≥17.1 umol/l daily; with PTA≤40% or         INR≥1.5, exclusive of other causes; with ascites         decompensation);     -   age: 18˜70;     -   male or female;     -   inpatient;     -   patients signing the informed consent, with good compliance.

2. Exclusion Criteria

-   -   Patients under 18 or over 70 years old;     -   patients diagnosed with shock liver (ischemic liver disease);     -   patients with liver failure in pregnance or HELLP syndrome;     -   patients with liver failure secondary to malignant tumor in the         liver;     -   patients with refractory hypotension     -   patients with septic shock;     -   patients about to receive liver transplant (within 8 hours);     -   patients allergic to trimetazidine drug;     -   patients tolerant of trimetazidine drug;     -   abuser of drugs and/or alcohol;     -   pregnant or lactation women;     -   patients with recent myocardial infarct (within half a year);     -   patients with serious renal inadequacy.

3. Dismissal Criteria

-   -   Cases nonconforming to the selection criteria or with         nonconforming records in the case report;     -   cases dropping out of the trial not because of adverse reaction         or poor effect.

4. Drop-Out Criteria for Subjects

-   -   Researcher considers it necessary to discontinue the trial with         the subject from a medical point of view;     -   Patient requests to stop the trial;     -   Occurrence of a serious adverse event.

IV. Drugs Used in Trial and Drug Distribution

1. Trial group: trimetazidine (TMZ): 20 mg/tablet, provided by Servier (Tianjin) Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. Usage and dosage: 1 tablet each time, 3 times daily, oral administration, for a 4-week course of treatment.

2. Control group: Diisopropylamine Dichloroacetate (DCA) (80 mg/D) for the control group in this trial, provided by Dandong Yichuang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, for a 4-week course of treatment.

3. Basic treatment: including administration of L-ornithine-L-aspartate (LOLA), reductive glutathione, magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate and human serum albumin upon hospital admission. HBV-related liver failure patients were also treated with lamivudine.

V. Test of Liver Function Indicators

1. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), tested by chromatometry, with products provided by Roche Diagnostics (Shanghai) Ltd.

2. Aspartate transaminase (AST), tested by chromatometry, with products provided by Roche Diagnostics (Shanghai) Ltd.

VI. Analysis of Test Results

1. Maintenance of Liver Function

a. After 5 days of treatment, the comparison of ALT and AST decrease in liver failure and relevant mathematical model analysis showed that the ALT decrease of the TMZ group (k=259.4) was much greater than that of the DCA control group (k=67.325); and the AST decrease of the TMZ group (k=362.53) was also much greater than the DCA control group (k=142.77), indicating that TMZ is capable of reducing transaminase to a lower level in a short time, thereby reducing hepatocyte injury. See FIG. 2.

b. Within 15 days of treatment, the comparison of ALT and AST decrease in liver failure and relevant mathematical model analysis showed conformance to the indicators decrease model. The ALT decrease of the TMZ group (y=501.44x−1.53) was much greater than that of the DCA control group (y=244.57x−1.219); and it was more obvious with the AST decrease, where the TMZ group (y=593.64x−1.377) was much greater than the DCA control group (y=196.04x−0.537), indicating that TMZ is capable of reducing higher transaminase to a lower level in the same length of time, thereby reducing hepatocyte injury and, in particular, significantly facilitating maintenance of mitochondrial damage. See FIG. 3.

2. Adverse Event

General adverse reaction event: currently both groups are safe, with only a few adverse events and without any serious adverse event.

3. Kidney function damage: The kidney function test results showed no statistical difference between the two groups.

Conclusion: Trimetazidine is capable of reducing the ALT and AST levels in a short period of time, also efficiently reducing higher ALT and AST levels, and in particular significantly reducing the AST level. Thus, TMZ in comparison with DCA has higher capability of maintaining the liver function and lower toxic and side effects.

VII. Clinical Cases

Case 1: Ms. Lu, female, age 50, had past positive HBsAg for over 20 years, during which she took multiple reexaminations of liver function and, as the results of all color ultrasound examinations were within normal range, she was not given any special treatment. Three months before, after catching cold and overwork, she developed abdominal distension and yellow urine, and was admitted to hospital following aggravation of the condition over 6 days. On admission, she was complicated with massive seroperitoneum and serious xanthochromia throughout the skin and mucosa of her whole body, feeling serious nausea, anorexia and feebleness. Examinations after admission showed ALT 270 u/L, AST 303 u/L and ALB (serum albumin) 19 g/L. At the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, on the basis of combined treatment, TMZ was administered to her three times a day and one tablet each time. 12 days thereafter, the reexamination results showed ALT 41 u/L and AST 68 u/L. Her ascites faded away, with markedly improved energy and appetite. Following consolidation therapy for more than 10 days, she was discharged from hospital, whereafter she continued to take the medicine for 4 weeks, her liver enzyme was fully back to normal and she did not feel feeble or anorexic.

Case 2: Mr. Wang, male, age 51, had had yellow urine for 25 days and dry mouth and bitter taste in mouth for 10 days before he came to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. The examination upon hospital admission showed ALT 983 u/L, AST 484 u/L and total bilirubin at 401.9 umol/L. After admission, he was examined for viral hepatitis (−) and autoimmune hepatitis (−), and was ruled out hepatic vascular disease and Budd-Chiari syndrome. Detailed inquiry of his medical history revealed that the patient had taken fallopia multiflora tea for more than 3 months, and he was tentatively diagnosed with serious drug-induced hepatitis. On the basis of combined treatment of liver protection and jaundice removing, oral administration of TMZ was added for 20 days, whereafter reexamination showed ALT 95 u/L, AST 52 u/L and total bilirubin at 130 umol/L, with a significant decrease of liver enzyme and reduction of hepatocyte injury in a short period. If he had been treated with the original approach, it would probably have taken two months before he could be discharged from hospital.

Case 3: Ms. Zhao, female, age 32, had past positive HBsAg for 8 years, without regular treatment or periodic reexamination of relevant indicators. Over the past half year, she felt feeble, anorexic and abdominal distension after meal, but failed to give proper attention. She took orally some “stomach medicine” (specific medicine not known) with poor effect. After the aforesaid symptoms aggravated for half a month, with urine turning as yellow as strong tea water, she was admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University on Jan. 21, 2015. As examination upon admission showed prothrombin time activity (PTA) at 27.4%, ALT 1386 u/L, and AST 1368 u/L, she was diagnosed with acute-on-chronic liver failure, and a notice of critical illness diagnosis was given. Following active medical treatment, antiviral treatment and oral administration of TMZ, her liver function reexamination taken on February 5 showed ALT 76 u/L, AST 85 u/L, and prothrombin time activity (PTA) up to 57.8%. In merely 12 days, the patient achieved decrease of transaminase by dozens of times, relief from the critical condition, alleviated hepatocyte inflammatory responses and a favorable condition for liver cells, and greatly shortened length of hospitalization.

Case 4: Mr. Wang, male, age 52, had an operation of splenectomia because of some trauma 10 years earlier, during which he received blood transfusion. 6 years ago, physical examination detected his HBsAg was positive, but with normal liver function, and he did not take any treatment. He felt abdominal distension and nausea, accompanied with hydroncus in lower limbs, when he got tired half a month ago. For further treatment, he was admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University on Jan. 13, 2015. Color ultrasound examination of abdomen detected diffuse changes of echo patterns of liver, cholecystolithiasis and cholecystitis. Examination showed ALT 599 u/L and AST 663 u/L. On the basis of normal hepatoprotective and antiviral treatment, he was orally administered TMZ for 13 days, whereafter reexamination showed ALT 66 u/L and AST 79 u/L. As the patient suffered from cholecystolithiasis and cholecystitis and felt abdominal pain intermittently after hospitalization, surgical evaluation suggested a cholecystectomy. The patient's liver enzyme decreased to normal level after a short period, meeting the requirements for a surgical operation. Following the operation, his abdominal pain disappeared, with liver enzyme back to normal level and improved appetite. His quality of life improves now without any discomfort.

Case 5: Mr. Shi, male, age 50, had past positive HBsAg for over 10 years, with HBsAg (+), HBeAg (+) and HBcAb (+), and had atrial fibrillation over 5 years, during which he orally took traditional Chinese medicine intermittently, but without regular treatment. He complained of feebleness, nausea, dry mouth and bitter taste, and anorexia for 6 days, and was hospitalized on Jan. 31, 2015. After admission, he had ALT 1881 u/L, AST 699 u/L, and prothrombin time activity (PTA) at 26%. The patient was extremely weak, in very poor spirits, with very poor appetite. A notice of critical illness diagnosis was given. Then he received combined treatment comprising administration of fresh refrigerated plasma, liver protection, jaundice removing, and prevention from hepatic encephalopathy, and was administered TMZ orally. One week thereafter, the reexamination of liver function showed ALT 255 u/L, AST 77 u/L, and prothrombin time activity (PTA) at 48%. His appetite and spirits improved significantly. After continued administration of TMZ for another 5 days, the reexamination of liver function showed ALT 117 u/L, AST 226 u/L, and prothrombin time activity (PTA) at 50%. The patient achieved a rapid decrease of transaminase and obvious improvement of liver synthesis function, and was safe from the critical condition. He continued to take the medicine till maturity of the treatment course, to improve the hepatocyte microcirculation and excretion of bilirubin. The patient soon recovered and left hospital.

In a clinical trial and research presided over by the inventor involving 165 cases of liver failure (see Table 1), TMZ tablets (20 mg/tablet) were administered orally to the hospitalized liver failure patients, one tablet each time, three times a day, over a 4-week course of treatment. As shown in the clinical trial result, compared with traditional therapeutic approach, the 30-day immortality rate of liver failure patients in the TMZ treatment group dropped from 44% to approximately 18%, and the 90-day immortality rate from 68% to 35% (see FIG. 5), suggesting that early TMZ intervention in liver failure patients can significantly increase the survival rate and improve their prognosis. The laboratory test indicators suggest that TMZ can significantly raise the decrease rate of ALT and AST (see FIG. 3); and the result of one patient's PET-CT test of the imaging changes of liver suggests that, after taking TMZ, the hepatic glucose metabolism of the liver failure patient was remarkably improved (see FIG. 4). These clinical trial results suggest that early use of TMZ for liver failure patients can significantly improve their liver function, inhibit hepatic inflammatory response, enhance their hepatic glucose metabolism and energy utilization, and improve their chances of survival.

As shown in the results of clinical trial and research, when administered to patients suffering from liver diseases and conditions, trimetazidine is capable of providing significant effects in maintaining liver functions and decreasing transaminase (including ALT and AST), with such features as shortening the course of disease, reducing the mortality rate, easy and safe use, and low treatment cost. As trimetazidine is mainly eliminated unchanged by way of urine, with the elimination half-life of approximately 6 hours and without hepatic metabolism, it may cause minimal liver toxicity, while having significant hepatoprotective effect.

From liver injury rat models, Chang-liver cells treated with ammonia chloride, and the effective treatment result after administration of the medicine to the patients with clinical liver injury, it can be seen that trimetazidine is an effective drug in treatment of liver injury according to the present invention, and that trimetazidine can be used in treatment of acute and/or chronic liver injury induced by various viral diseases, as well as liver injury induced by various drugs or toxicants, and reduce liver injury resulting from activation of the immune system induced by unknown causes. The present invention adds a new therapeutic option for clinical treatment of liver diseases and conditions.

The foregoing embodiments are provided only for illustration of the preferred embodiments of the present invention; however, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. In the scope of knowledge of a person having ordinary skill in the art, any modification, equivalent substitution, and improvement without departing from the spirit and principles of the present invention, should be considered within the protection scope of the present application. 

1-4. (canceled)
 5. A method for treating acute-on-chronic liver failure, comprising administrating to a subject in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of trimetazidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient.
 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the pharmaceutical composition is orally administered to the subject.
 7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the pharmaceutical composition is parentally administered to the subject.
 8. The method according to claim 5, wherein the pharmaceutical composition is administered to the subject 1-4 times daily.
 9. The method according to claim 5, wherein the pharmaceutical composition is administered to the subject 2 or 3 times daily.
 10. The method according to claim 5, wherein the subject is administered with about 30-180 mg daily of trimetazidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 11. The method according to claim 5, wherein the subject is administered with about 60 mg daily of trimetazidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 12. The method according to claim 5, wherein active ingredient of the pharmaceutically composition consists essentially of trimetazidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 13. The method according to claim 5, wherein active ingredient of the pharmaceutically composition consists of trimetazidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 14. The method according to claim 5, wherein the pharmaceutically composition further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 15. The method according to claim 5, wherein the pharmaceutically composition reduces activation of resting T lymphocytes to activated lymphocytes in the subject.
 16. The method according to claim 5, wherein the pharmaceutically composition reduces fatty acid metabolism in hepatocytes and promotes aerobic oxidation of glucose in the subject.
 17. The method according to claim 5, wherein the pharmaceutically composition reduces β-oxidation in hepatocytes and reduces formation of ROS in the subject.
 18. The method according to claim 5, wherein the pharmaceutically composition reduces blood alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level in the subject.
 19. The method according to claim 5, wherein the pharmaceutically composition reduces blood aspartate transaminase (AST) level in the subject.
 20. The method according to claim 5, wherein the subject is not suffering from angina pectoris, coronary insufficiency, previous myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease, vertigo or tinnitus. 